Kona Orchid Society hosts Mother’s Day show, plant sale, workshops

Mother’s Day shoppers looking for something grown and made in West Hawaii will find it at the Kona Orchid Society’s annual show and sale, where orchids, garden plants, handmade goods and food vendors will turn Makaeo Pavilion into a compact local marketplace. The event is set for Saturday, May 2, at the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area in Kailua-Kona.

The sale will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an early-bird window from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. that costs $20 and is limited to 100 people. General admission is $2 cash, and the first 300 attendees will receive a free orchid plant, giving the show a built-in draw for families and gift buyers looking for a low-cost alternative to mainland retail options.

Organizers said 13 plant growers and 17 craft vendors will take part, along with food sellers offering snacks and locally made products. Past shows have also drawn buyers with orchids from around the island, fruit trees and other garden plants, reinforcing the event’s role as a seasonal stop for people who want to shop directly from local growers and artisans instead of ordering gifts from off-island.

The Kona Orchid Society, founded in 1985, is marking its 41st year. The nonprofit says its mission is to educate members and the public about the collection, culture and appreciation of orchids, and its membership includes both hobbyists and commercial growers. That mix has helped make the Mother’s Day show one of the society’s signature events, with 2025 coverage describing the gathering as the club’s 40th anniversary celebration.

The day will also double as a hands-on learning session. Presentations will cover orchid care, Phalaenopsis schillerana, general orchid questions and unusual orchid varieties that do well in Kona conditions. Master Gardeners, Plant Pono representatives and the Hawaii Ant Lab will be on site to answer questions about plant care, invasive species and pest management, adding practical value for gardeners who want their purchases to survive West Hawaii’s growing conditions. For Kona’s small growers and cottage vendors, the show is more than a spring outing; it is a direct sales day with local money staying close to home.